Subtle change illustrates attack on religion

Americans have been so absorbed with the misadventures of Miley Cyrus, the royal baby and "The Walking Dead," we haven't even noticed a seismic shift happening beneath our feet.

One of our most precious American freedoms, the "freedom of religion," is tragically being re-defined as the "freedom of worship." Few have spotted this subtle change, but the difference between the two is staggering.

When our Founding Fathers adopted the First Amendment in 1791, they included a provision which protects the right of all Americans to practice their faith freely and openly, without government opposition or suppression. Freedom of religion is a privilege which allows American people of all faiths to exercise and express their religious beliefs in the public square, without fear of a government smackdown.

But in recent days, this "freedom of religion" guaranteed by the Constitution has been morphed into the more generic "freedom of worship." With this subtle downgrade, Americans are now being told that they are free to worship and practice their faith, so long as they keep it restricted to their own buildings, churches or synagogues - away from the public square.

More and more, freedom "of" religion has become freedom "from" religion. Now any mention of God or the Bible has been effectively banished from every public forum. Like Play-Doh in the hands of a small child, the free exercise of religion has been molded into something unrecognizable to our forefathers.

Many people know that Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase "separation of church and state." However, that famous phrase didn't originate with the Constitution, but with a personal letter Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists of Connecticut. These Baptists were concerned that the newly formed federal government would impose on their religious faith and practice.

In his 1802 letter, Jefferson assured the Baptists that the First Amendment "erected a wall of separation between the church and state." Thomas Jefferson's explanation was actually written as an encouragement to churches - to help them realize that in America they had a built-in protection from government interference.

What a tragedy that Jefferson's words have since been twisted to mean that God and religion have no place in the public square. This is a far cry from the intent of our Founding Fathers, and surely our country is feeling the moral effects of this re-definition.

No one disputes that America is the "land of the free and the home of the brave." But we should remember what got us here. When "freedom of religion" is downgraded to a generic "freedom of worship," we are losing something very special - part of the heart and soul of America.

But until we avert our eyes from the likes of Ms. Cyrus, royal toddlers and walking zombies, we won't even know it's gone.

The Rev. Ryan L. Day,

senior pastor,

Grace Baptist Church,

Hazleton

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